GRAND RAPIDS -- If Grand Rapids Community College students want to check their grades or review a lesson, there's an app for that.

The college is participating in a national pilot project that allows students to use their iPods and iPhones -- and soon their Blackberries and other "smart phones" -- to tap into an expanding world of technological interaction with faculty and fellow students.

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Grand Rapids Community College's Instructional Technology Department says the college is expanding the ways students can work with professors and each other through Web-based programs and mobile devices.

Technological advances include:

• Camtasia Relay, a program that allows professors to record lectures with audio and computer visuals for students to download on computers and phones to review later.

• Blackboard, a Web "portal" to post class assignments, grades and information such as food service specials.

• iPhone "apps" that allow students to connect with a mobile version of Blackboard.

• Social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as blogs and videos posted on YouTube, allow communication outside of class for projects and feedback.

Source: Grand Rapids Community College

"Students come on to campus with all kinds of technology, such as their laptops and cell phones, and we need to take advantage of the technology that they're already using and are comfortable with," Eric Kunnen, coordinator of instructional technology, told trustees Monday.

"And we're working bring that technology for their professors to use in their classrooms, where it's appropriate, of course."

Kunnen said this year professors gained the ability to easily record their lectures, with their audio captured over a PowerPoint or other computer presentation used classes that students can then download from a Web site to watch over their phones, laptop or desktop computer.

The idea, he said, is to make it easier for both staff and students to work together with information available around the clock.

App is shorthand for the computer programs -- or applications -- that are downloaded onto mobile devices. Most work through Blackboard, a campus Web site that serves as a hub for students and staff to share information from classroom assignments to food service specials.

GRCC was selected for a beta, or trial, version of the Blackboard programs that incorporate accessibility for the devices.

Kunnen is considered an expert in using Blackboard and serves on a steering committee to share and look for new uses for the device.

A campus poll showed 85 percent of students believe the ability to have lectures available for playback would be valuable or very valuable.

While such devices might seem like second nature to students fresh out of high school, board Secretary Jan Maggini said GRCC attracts students of all ages.

Treasurer Ellen James said she is concerned not all instructors will embrace the new-fangled ways.

Kunnen said the programs are intended to complement classroom work, with orientation sessions for students and training for faculty looking to experiment.

"The older style of teachers might not be as receptive, but every new hire clearly has to be open to these technologies," President Steven Ender said.

Sophomore Kate Hampton checks her phone to find out when grades are posted, and appreciates the text-message alert when a professor is absent.

The Big Rapids resident, who also takes classes at Ferris State University, said she's able to do more online with her GRCC classes.

A biology professor places all of his lectures and labs on the system, and she can review for tests and check answers later to see what she got wrong.

"It's pretty easy," Hampton said. "I can print out all the slides from the class and use them along with my notes."